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Recruited as a result of one of Windy & Big Bird’s leaflet drops in Ashington, TK was one of the most likable and capable players the Sunday side has seen. Tony was here in 2003 & gone in a flash at the end of the following season after he took on a Finance Director job in Warwickshire. However in his short time at the club, he was the Chairman’s first Funding Tsar working out cunning ways to extract money from the local community. He also endeared himself to Bob and the rest of us on Sundays with his very effective medium pace. Before & after his departure, we struggled for wickets on a Sunday. Tony, unlike say a Chris Wills or a Darren Mustchin, didn’t toil away for hours conceding few runs but taking no wickets. TK bowled to get wickets and didn't worry about conceding the odd boundary. He bowled a great deal of people or had them caught behind the wicket as they were beaten for pace. He was the work horse of the team who could be relied upon to keep one end going for long spells if necessary.

Essentially a bowler, Tony usually batted at 7 or 8 – coming in for a swing a la Chris Akers whatever the situation but usually with slightly more finesse! He could keep one end up and made a half century against Nazeing in his first season and our first ever cricket week.

He played six games for the 1^st XI but like some other Sunday players who were around before the 2^nd XI had started or taken off, he couldn’t hold a 1^st XI place down. His best was 3-21 at home against the old enemy West Blatch in a West Sussex League game in July 2004.

Tony would certainly be welcomed back at West Chilt. if he ever showed his face here again although it’s unlikely his daughters & wife Sam allow him out of their sight these days! All-in-all another good guy and yet another to have been and gone. The big man now appears to be Group MD for Northern Racing. Awarded legend status due to his tireless work on a Sunday over two seasons.

Batting – 11 Innings, 135 runs @ 19.29; One fifty. 4.36% of the team’s runs.
High Score: 57 for the Midweek side at home to Nazeing Common on 5^th July 2004.B
Bowling – 131 overs, 14 maidens, 39 wickets @ 14.1. Economy 4.2. 27.45% of team’s wickets.
Best: 6-13 at home to East Brighton for the Sunday side on the 17^th August 2003F
Fielding: Three catches
Game results: Tony won 47.4% of games he’s played in

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Green & Gold Legends #3 - Tony Kelly